Oppositional concerns were formally presented on Wednesday morning by dozens of ratepayers and supporters during a regular Council meeting of the R.M. of Weyburn, regarding the Seven Stars Wind Power Energy Project.
"We were allowed to ask a few questions on certain topics of their procedures for changing bylaws," shared Kim Brady. "Previous to this meeting, I asked them to have a Town Hall meeting with the residents, at one of the local halls in town and let people come, but they wouldn't do that."
Brady said they would have liked to have had more of their questions answered, as was the case on Tuesday at a Town Hall held by the R.M. of Griffin.
"They had it in a local hall Griffin, and we could ask questions back and forth, and it was very encouraging," he said. "The Weyburn R.M. want to keep this very formal, and they're going to have to pick a side. Hopefully, they want to represent the ratepayers and their feelings, not just how much taxes they're going to get."
An online petition has been created for those opposed to the project, with more than 2,100 signatures so far. It was noted that more signed it during the Council meeting.
"It is just skyrocketing, which is really nice. We're right on the edge of Weyburn. So there are 12,000 residents here, not to mention a dense population around Weyburn with all the acreages and land owners, and really, and truly, anybody can have a say in this."
The matter concerns everyone, said Brady, as the federal government heavily subsidizes wind power.
"So if you're a taxpayer in Saskatchewan or a taxpayer in Canada, you've got a say. They're spending our money. They are here to represent us."
He said he hopes the R.M. of Weyburn will consider their concerns with any further decisions made on the issue.
"I'm concerned that the R.M. will rely on regulations to make their decisions. I think they have more power than they think they do to push back," he noted. "183 counties or R.M.s in Ontario banded together and say 'no windmills'. They can do it. Why can't we? They've got provincial moratoriums in Alberta to stall these projects to get a better look at them. So I mean, the R.M. would look much more favorable to their ratepayers if they try to help us out, so I'm hoping they will. I think they heard us pretty good today."
"It's not us against them at all. They're in a bad spot, but they just need to listen to their ratepayers," he added.